Electrical conduit bending and straightening device



Nov. 17, 1953 F. A. DUFFY, JR 2,659,410

ELECTRICAL CONDUIT BENDING AND STRAIGHTENING DEVICE Filed June 8, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l Frank .4. Duffy,- Jn

mmvron.

NOV. 17,.1953 D JR 2,659,410

ELECTRICAL. CONDUIT BENDING AND STRAIGHTENING DEVICE Filed June 8, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig, 5

I8 20 2a 26 I? Fig. 8

Fig. 7

Frank A. Duffy, Jr.

INVENTOR.

Patented Nov. 17, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRICAL CONDUIT BENDING AND STRAIGHTENING DEVICE Frank A. Duffy, Jr., Kansas City, Mo.

Application June 8, 1951, Serial No. 230,590

Claims.

The present invention relates to conduit bending machines and more particularly to a device which can be employed for both effecting bending of conduits and for straightening bent conduits.

An object of the present invention is to provide ing movement of the bed plate and quadrant relative to the conduit whereby a bent conduit can be straightened.

Another object of the present invention resides in the novel construction of the conduit bending device whereby the conduit can be easily bent by effecting a pumping action by manual means controlling a hydraulic cylinder which is actuated for effecting relative movement between elements of the device.

Still further objects of the present invention reside in the novel construction of the bed plate and carriage associated therewith, along with the links interconnecting the quadrant with the carriage, and also the plunger structure which effects relative movement between the carriag and said bed plate.

. Various other objects and advantages will become apparent from the detailed description to follow. The best form in which I have contemplated applying my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings; wherein:

Figure its a top plan view of the conduit bending device;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the conduit bending device shown with aconduit mounted therein preparatory to bending the same; f

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but wherein the conduit bending device has a bent conduit mounted therein preparatory to straightening the same; i

Figure 4 is a detail perspective and exploded view of several of the elements which comprise a portion of the invention; I

Figure 5 is a left: end elevational view of Figure 6;

Figure 6 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along the plane of line 6-6 of Figure 1; I I

Figure '7 is a vertical transverse sectional view 2 taken substantially along the plane of line ll of Figure 2; and I Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the plane of line 8-8 of Figure 6.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout, the numeral I0 designates generally the conduit bending device of the present invention. 1

The conduit bending device is comprised of a bed plate [2 which is of substantially rectangular cross-section and has its upper surface l4 formed with. a V-shaped groove or recess l6 adapted to receive a conduit C therein. The bedplate I2 is formed with a. pair of downwardly extending legs l8 joined by theweb for supporting the bed plate at one end. The bed plate I2 is also formed with a pair of standards Hand 24 which are formed with a recess 26 in which is rotatably journaled a roller 28 whereby the conduit C can be engaged thereover. The opposing end of the bed plate I2 is formed with an apertured ear 3% for a purpose to be more fully understood hereinafter.

The standards 22 and 24 are formed with a plurality of apertures 32 whereby the quadrant 34 can be adjustably rotatably supported thereby, a pin 36 extending through the pair of standards 22 and 24 and the bearing sleeve 38 of the quadrant 34. The peripheral portion 49 of the quadrant 34 is grooved to conform substantially to the contour of the conduit 0, which of course may. vary in size. At an end peripheral portion of the quadrant 34, a second sleeve'42 is formed, as at 44. A substantially U-shaped clamp has its free ends engageable with opposing ends of the sleeve 42 and is adapted to embrace the conduit C, a pin 48 being adapted to be disposed through the legs of the U-shaped clamp 45 and the sleeve 42.

. 58. A plurality of rollers 68 are rotatably carried pose to be more fully understood hereinafter.

Looking now at Figure '7, it will be seen that the bed plate 12 has a pair of bearing ears 66 and 68 secured thereto and in aligned relation. The pin I is engaged through apertures 64 in the adjacent ends of a pair of links 12 and I4, and extends through aligned apertures (not shown) in the carriage 50 and selectively through the bearings 66 and 68 and/or the sleeve 16 of the plunger 18 of the hydraulic cylinder Ill. The opposing ends of the links 12 and 14 have the pin 48 extending therethrough, which pin is also extended through the free ends of the legs of the U-shaped clamp 25 and the sleeve 42 of the quadrant 34.

The hydraulic cylinder 80 is substantially conventional but has its forward end formed with a pair or upstanding ears 8!, the opposing end of the cylinder 80 having a miniature pump 84 associated therewith and operated by the handle 86. The hydraulic cylinder also has a conventional plumbers chain clamp, indicated generally by the numeral 88, associated therewith whereby the conduit C can be clamped to the cylinder 80 if desired.

When it is desired to efiect bending of the conduit C, the arrangement is as in Figure 2. The conduit C is disposed in the V-shaped groove of the bed plate l2 and has a portion thereof clamped within the U-shaped clamp 46. The links 12 and 14 have their ends secured to the U- shaped clamp 46 by the pin 48 for movement with the quadrant 34. The opposing ends of the links 12 and 14 are secured to the carriage 50 by means of the pin 10 which pin does not pass through ears 66 and 68 but does pass through the sleeve 16 of the T-shaped plunger of the hydraulic cylinder. The car 30 of the bed plate 12 is secured between the pair of ears 82 by means of the pin 90 whereby the bed plate. [2 will be reta ned in fixed relation to the hydraulic cylinder 80. Thus, as the pump handle 86 is actuated, the pump 84 will supply fluid to the hydraulic cylinder 80 thereby effecting outward movement of the plunger 18. Thus, the carriage 50 and links connected thereto will be moved longitudinally of the bed plate I2 and the quadrant 34 will be made to rotate about th pin 36 engaged between the standards 22 and 24. Since the conduit is in constant relation to the quadrant, it will be bent upon movement of the quadrant.

When it is desired to straighten a bent conduit, the arrangement is as in Figure 3. A set screw can be engaged in the aperture 62 for secm'ins'. the carriage 50 for movement with the bed plate. I! whereby relative movement is'prevented. Also, the pin 10 can be engaged through the pair of cars 66 and 68 secured to the bed plate l2 and the sleeve 16 of the piston plunger being carried by the pin 10 whereby movement of the plunger will effect movement of both the carriage 50 and the bed plate II.

The conventional plumbers chain clamp 88 is engaged over the conduit C and the conduit is clamped to prevent relative movement between the conduit and the hydraulic cylinder 80. The links 12 and 14 are not connected to the quadrant 84 nor is the U-shaped clamp 46 engaged over the conduit. The pump handle 86 is then actu ated, thereby effecting outward movement of the plunger of the hydraulic cylinder. The bed plate I! and carriage. 50 will therefore move relative to the hydraulic cylinder 80 and the conduit C.

the quadrant 34 rolling over the conduit C and.- eilecting. straightening thereof since the conduit.

'4 passes between the quadrant 84 and the V-shaped groove it of the bed plate II.

In view of the foregoing description, taken in conjunction with the drawings, it is believed that a conduit bending device has been provided which will efiectively accomplish the functions of bending and straightening conduits as desired. In view of the simplicity of the device, further description thereof is deemed unnecessary.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A conduit bending device comprising an elongated and longitudinally recessed bed plate adapted to receive a conduit in the recess thereof, a pair of standards fixedly secured to said bed plate on opposite sides of one end thereof and in parallel relation to each other, a quadrant pivotally carried by said standards and adapted to have the conduit received in the bed plate recess engaged against its periphery, and means for effecting longitudinal movement of said bed plate relative to the conduit, said means including a fluid pressure cylinder with a piston and plunger reciprocably carried thereby, said cylinder having a conventional clamp carried thereby whereby the conduit can be secured from movement relative to said cylinder, said plunger being con nected to said bed plate for efiecting longitudinal movement thereof whereby a bent conduit can be straightened.

2. A conduit bending and straightening device comprising an elongated, longitudinally recessed bed plate, a pair of spaced, parallel standards fixedl secured to opposite sides of said bed plate at one end thereof, a quadrant pivotally carried by said standards and overlying said bed plate, a carriage slidably mounted on said bed p at link members pivotally secured to said carriage and being disposed on both sides of said bed plate and hydraulic means selectively connected to said carriage and said bed plate for respectively moving said carriage and said bed plate, said links having their free ends terminating adJacent said quadrant and being associated therewith.

3. A conduit bending and straightening device comprising an elongated, longitudinally recesed bed plate, a pair of spaced, parallel standards fixedly secured to opposite sides oi said bed plate at one end thereof, a quadrant pivotally carried by said standards and overlying said bed plate. a carriage mounted on said bed plate, link members pivotally secured to said carriage and being disposed on both sides of said bed plate, said links having their free ends terminating adjacent said quadrant and being selectively connected thereto, and hydraulic means connected to said carriage for moving said carriage, said carriage being selectively movable with and relative to said bed plate.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said standards are provided, with a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures for adiustably mounting said quadrant at varying heights above said bed plate.

5. A conduit bending and straightening device comprising an elongated, longitudinally recessed bed plate, support means fixedly secured to opposite sides of said bed plate adjacent one end thereof, a quadrant pivotally carried bysaid support means and overlying said bed plate, a carriage mounted on said bed plate, link members pivotally secured to said carriage and being disposed on both sides of said bed plate, said links having their free ends terminating adjacent said quadrant and being selectively connected thereto,

5 and means connected to said carriage for moving Number the same, said carriage being selectively movable 1,135,875 with and relative to said bed plate. 1,285,987 FRANK A. DUFFY, JR. 1,403,887 5 1,526,969 References Cited in the file of this patent 1, 63,001 1,65 ,955 UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,795,151 Number Name 2,357,006

91,592 Ayres June 22, 1869 10 420,576 Heesom Feb. 4, 1890 499,355 Crossley June 13, 1893 Number 749,013 Anderson Jan. 5, 1904 126,845

Name Date Brinkman Apr. 13, 1915 Grunhow Nov. 26, 1918 Alger Jan. 17, 1922 Ericksson Feb. 17, 1925 Bayer Dec. 8, 1925 Miller Nov. 29, 1927 Smith Mar. 3, 1931 Johnson Aug. 29, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain May 22, 1919 

